Council of Ireland

• In 1492, after the Earl of Kildare recognised Warbeck's claim to the throne, the king deprived him of his position as Lord Deputy and his brother of the Great Seal
• Only after Kildare and his brother sought the king's pardon in person was Henry willing to restore their position
• In 1494, Henry set about reorganising the Irish government
• Made his infant son, Henry, Lord Lieutenant to emphasise nominal headship and appointed Sir Edward Poynings as deputy
• Poynings' main task = bring most rebellious areas under control and impose constitution on Ireland to ensure obedience
• Succeeded in constitution at Parliament in 1494 = called Poynings' Law
• Poynings Law:

  • Irish Parliament could only be summoned and pass laws with King's approval
  • no future legislation to be discussed unless agreed by King
  • any law made in England automatically applies to Ireland
• Gave the king greater control over Ireland by destroying independent legislative power of Irish Parliament
• However, the expense of attempting to rule Ireland directly soon proved to be extremely high and was abandoned.
• Henry returned to earlier policy and Kildare reinstated and for much of the rest of his reign, Ireland ceased to be a problem for Henry